Algieri Stuns Provodnikov in Brooklyn, Gets Split Decision

Chris Algieri walked through some fire early against Ruslan Provodnikov but once he got used to the heat, gave a tremendous account of himself in the main event at Barclays Center on Saturday, which unfolded on HBO. After twelve rounds, most of which saw Provo following the mobile and athletic ex kickboxer, the judges turned in their cards: 117-109 (Provo), 114-112 (Algieri) and 114-112 (Algieri).

The joint held it's collective breathe and waited for Michael Buffer...when he said, "And new.." the joint exploded a bit.

Provo came in 23-2 with 16 KOs, while Algieri was 19-0 (8 KOs).

In the first, a left hook put down Algieri. The hook came while he threw his own. He took a knee soon after that, for another knockdown. His right eye was a bit swollen.

In the second, Algieri boxed smartly, moving to his left, and landed an uppercut which got Provos' attention.

In the third, left hooks to the body and a hard right scored for Algieri, as Provo had mixed luck cutting off the ring on him. Uppercuts also worked for the Long Islander, who ate some snappy rights and a couple hooks, including one sharp blow on his swollen eye.

In the fourth, Algieri used the ring to good effect. He mixed his movement up, going right, and also clinching a bit. Provo I don't think was cutting the ring off as well as trainer Freddie Roach might have liked. He was also loading up, dispensing with a serious jab mostly.

In the fifth, the Algieri jab took the round. His mobility kept him at arms length often enough to take the frame. A left hook at the bell landed flush on the Long Islander after he boxed the best for 2:59.

In the sixth, the eye looked bad to start off. An Algieri chant couldn't help the swelling. Left hooks were coming and the New Yorker didn't see them clearly. In the seventh, Algieri boxed super smart. He moved the whole time and upped his volume.

In the eighth, Algieri was the better ring general. He moved, jabbed, used his faster hands to keep Provo at bay…now, would the judges agree with my take? In the ninth, Algieri didn't land the showy punches the judges like, but he was the better technical boxer.

In the tenth, Algieri worked the ring with one good eye. He moved enough to keep his eye from getting glued shut, popped the jab, a sneaky-quick right, another impressive effort as Provo played catchup. In the 11th, with one eye, Algieri took the round with slick boxing. In the 12th, Algieri kept on being the better ring general. We'd go to the cards...

Perhaps it’s time to start considering the difference between controlled and/or useful aggression and that which Provodnikov can sometimes resort to.

A sense of pace would help too.

Ruslan, in my opinion, is a great fighter but he relies on one method of attach and needs to box more; otherwise he will have issues with guys that can handle pressure and also control distance.

Radam G says:

How did TSS score the robbery? Holla!

Skibbz says:

Ruslan by a few points, there was no way Algieri took that fight with those weak punches and running away from the champion. If you stick and move with real conviction and are doing damage then I have no objection. But when the champion leaves with barely a mark visible and the challenger can barely see or walk straight then I think the judges have to take a long look at themselves and hang their heads in shame and disgust at the act of robbery they have committed.

Ruslan goes to people's hometowns and expects bad decisions but this was a blatant robbery for all to see and there was no shame from the judges who scored it. Ruslan has fought guys with similar styles to Algieri, who have high outputs but crucially can actually punch. Ruslan fought much the similar fight (again he does not compete in volume of punches but damage dealt) and goes away with the W.

Also, a judge from NY in NY judging a NY native boxer fighting for a world title? Commission please. This is simply not on. Farcical and horrendous.

Skibbz says:

Ruslan dominated the championship rounds too. There's really not much to say when the robbery is so obvious.

The Commish says:

I heard fans saying last night this was a worse decision than Timothy Bradley's win against Manny Pacquiao a few years ago.

Really?

Chris Algieri's punches may have been pitty-pat, but they were punches which landed. Scored. Sitting ringside, I could truly feel the power of Provo's shots, so many which were blocked.

As the fight wore on, I kept telling those around me, "Algieri just won another round. He's two point down...one point down...this fight is even...Algieri is ahead.

You may not like what you saw. You may not agree with what you saw. You may not like the fact that Algieri fopught in reverse gear. We all knew that's what he was going to do. The name of the game is boxing--not slugging. Chris Algieri does not stand in the trenches and slug it out. He boxes. He punches, then moves.

Give his tremendous conditioning some credit.

Chris Algieri won.

-Randy G.

oubobcat says:

This was one of the toughest fights to score in recent memory.

First, what heart by Algieiri. I was surprised he made it out of the first round. Then, when I saw that eye in the corner thought no way he'd make it the distance. He not only made it the distance but what one tremendously skilled fight against one relentless fighter.

And Algieri did not "run" as the Provodnikov camp has indicated. Algieri boxed and used lateral movement to set up his combinations from the outside. It was a thing of beauty at times.

Now to the scoring, man this was one tough fight to score as I stated earlier. The only easy round I did not have to really think hard about was the first round. I never score even rounds and even had to cop out with one even round in this fight.

There is no question for the majority of the rounds Algieri landed and threw more punches. Many times, they were very clean shots. But Provodnikov landed much harder shots at times in the rounds as well. He landed thudding shots to the head and thunderous clean body shots that needed to be counted.

So my scorecard...I had it 115-112 for Provodnikov. Before the scores were announced, I tweeted I though Ruslan won but that you would see a wide divergent in scores.

And you know what, I have zero problems with any of the announced scorecards though it was divergent. I have no problem with Weisfeld's scorecard on the broadcast or those who thought Algieiri won.

I could watch any of a number of rounds and argue that Provodnikov's harder punches carried the round. Someone next to me could watch that same round and argue that Algieir landed more shots and that his activity and clean punches carried the round. It happened round after round and this arguement could go on after each round. Its subjective and each person has a legitimate arguement.

In the end, my hats off to Algieri. He fought a near perfect fight and executed his game plan through very adverse circumstances. He trained incredibly hard and put everything he had and then some into this effort. Algieiri's conditioning was amazing. He continued his lateral movement and activity for 12 rounds despite being under constant pressure. He earned everything he has coming for him and I will admit when those cards were being read I was hoping Algieiri would get the nod.

[QUOTE=The Commish;55478]I heard fans saying last night this was a worse decision than Timothy Bradley's win against Manny Pacquiao a few years ago.

Really?

Chris Algieri's punches may have been pitty-pat, but they were punches which landed. Scored. Sitting ringside, I could truly feel the power of Provo's shots, so many which were blocked.

As the fight wore on, I kept telling those around me, "Algieri just won another round. He's two point down...one point down...this fight is even...Algieri is ahead.

You may not like what you saw. You may not agree with what you saw. You may not like the fact that Algieri fopught in reverse gear. We all knew that's what he was going to do. The name of the game is boxing--not slugging. Chris Algieri does not stand in the trenches and slug it out. He boxes. He punches, then moves.

Give his tremendous conditioning some credit.

Chris Algieri won.

-Randy G.[/QUOTE]

We cannot go there, Commish. Apparently you have the expected built-in bias for a homeboy. And he got a home-cooking win, so you are blinded by joy.

Algieri had tremendous conditioning, but terrible professional boxing. Most of his allegedly landed punches were short of the target for unbiased eyes. Dude did some great bicycling, air punching and shadow boxing to get a tainted N-Y victory. Holla!

Skibbz says:

There's nothing behind Algieri's punches. If this was the amateurs I would applaud his display, but this is the pro's and those punches weren't doing damage. I'm downloading the fight to watch it again, i'll score it round by round by tomorrow and we can see how my views differ from yours either at ringside or behind a tele.

One guy left without a scratch, the other will need rehab for atleast a month. Tell me who won doc!

Skibbz says:

It's easy to rob someone who comes from Siberia with a fairly niche (but growing) fan base. It's even easier still when the challenger and a judge are both from NY.

Ruslan has been robbed before, he may get robbed again but that doesn't make him any less in my eyes. He will just take it on the chin as he always does and move on. Who's next he will be saying, he wants to get back in the ring as soon as possible and get his hands on another belt. The story of the Siberian Rocky is far from over after a few bad decisions courtesy of biased judges.

the Roast says:

I must have seen Algieri fight before last night but I don't remember. At the first bell I was thinking,"Wow this guy is way bigger that Ruslan, look at those shoulders, that reach. He looks two weight classes bigger, this guy is gonna win..." Then BOOM Algieri hits the deck and his eye is rapidly closing. So much for the big guy. I think Chris did a great job surviving after that. He used his legs, he used his jab, but he never landed anything that meaningful. I thought Provodnikov won the fight and it was not close. When they read the second card 114-112 I was shocked. When the next card was also 114-112 "and the NEW" I was really shocked. I'm going to watch the fight again later and put pen to paper. Maybe it was closer than it looked at first glance. A rematch is in order. Ruslan gave Chris a shot, time for Chris to return the favor.

Shoulder Roll Defense says:

Algieri was the professor last night and took Ruslan to school. The name of the sport is boxing and Ruslan is too one dimensional to defeat a well rounded boxer with a chin. Ruslan needs to go back to boxing 101. He does not effectively or consistently use the jab and his punches are too fat (wide). Also, his defense is porous at best. Ring generalship and masterful boxing enabled Algieri to bring home the championship last night. Congrats Chris on your masterful display of boxing skills!

brownsugar says:

[QUOTE=Shoulder Roll Defense;55524]Algieri was the professor last night and took Ruslan to school. The name of the sport is boxing and Ruslan is too one dimensional to defeat a well rounded boxer with a chin. Ruslan needs to go back to boxing 101. He does not effectively or consistently use the jab and his punches are too fat (wide). Also, his defense is porous at best. Ring generalship and masterful boxing enabled Algieri to bring home the championship last night. Congrats Chris on your masterful display of boxing skills![/QUOTE]

Agreed... First of all the fight was ugly....and I mean butt ugly... I will never watch it again and have deleted it from my dvr. Algieri looks like a guy impersonating a fighter.. Flitting around the ring in a stiff hurky jurky approximation of what real boxers do. What he was doing reminded me of dodgeball or an elementary game of keep-away. Only with punches mixed in. But technically Algieri fulfilled the criteria of what a boxing match consists of.....

Which was hitting Ruslan repeatedly in the face and even snapping back his head multiple times a round. What did Ruslan do in retaliation....... Nada.

He could have used the Marcos Maidana maul and foul technique to slow his opponent down.. Or shot hard straight punches at Algieri's body to at least give the impression he was scoring with something ....instead he was content to skip merrily through the tulips for 10 agonizingly painfully uneventful rounds to watch.

Ruslan permitted a fighter he had previously concussed ...with a closed eye to reach the finish line while growing bolder and stronger in each subsequent round...and using a weapon that was more likely to tickle than hurt.

To me that is almost unforgivable for a fighter with Ruslan's experience and natural abilities. Hopefully Ruslan gets matched with a compatible dance partner in his next outing.

Algieri should be matched with Richard Abrille ....off off television.

mortcola says:

Here's a good meta-comment: the knowledgeable scribes on this website are more divided over what they think they saw, than over any fight in my memory. Now by anymeasure i ain't no boxing dummy … i've been trained in the subtle details, mixed it up with lots of contenders, my knowledge of the small points has been recognized by some of the biggest names in the game. But then again, some of you have even more experience, and for all I know, know what they're seeing better than I do. But something happened in the ring, in terms of a pure exhibition of contrasting styles, than we usually get a chance to see. What I saw was, apart from the sheer guts and adaptability of the pure boxer, was Chris handing his opponent a boxing lesson, snapping his head back repeatedly (that doesn't happen from sheer wind, Radam!) with sharp but not powerful punches, and winning the rounds on the pure criteria for ring generalship. Others, who I respect, saw a guy amateurishly running around and pity patting to save his life. Watching the fight again, even less rooting for my homeboy, I saw it exactly as I had the night before, with even more emphasis on the way in which the slugger only landed with the ends of his punches (consistent with the official punch counts) and being forced to chase his superior opponent around like a confused club fighter. if it weren't for the slugger's unusual power, this was a one sided fight in favor of a boxer who doesn't hit any less hard then many well-respected boxers of the past whose lack of power we do not denigrate. But: the opinions of what the eyes took in are so unusually divided, that in itself Commands some attention. One thing to take for granted here is that people equal experience and discernment have completely different views, which are not based on geography or ignorance

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=mortcola;55532]Here's a good meta-comment: the knowledgeable scribes on this website are more divided over what they think they saw, than over any fight in my memory. Now by anymeasure i ain't no boxing dummy … i've been trained in the subtle details, mixed it up with lots of contenders, my knowledge of the small points has been recognized by some of the biggest names in the game. But then again, some of you have even more experience, and for all I know, know what they're seeing better than I do. But something happened in the ring, in terms of a pure exhibition of contrasting styles, than we usually get a chance to see. What I saw was, apart from the sheer guts and adaptability of the pure boxer, was Chris handing his opponent a boxing lesson, snapping his head back repeatedly (that doesn't happen from sheer wind, Radam!) with sharp but not powerful punches, and winning the rounds on the pure criteria for ring generalship. Others, who I respect, saw a guy amateurishly running around and pity patting to save his life. Watching the fight again, even less rooting for my homeboy, I saw it exactly as I had the night before, with even more emphasis on the way in which the slugger only landed with the ends of his punches (consistent with the official punch counts) and being forced to chase his superior opponent around like a confused club fighter. if it weren't for the slugger's unusual power, this was a one sided fight in favor of a boxer who doesn't hit any less hard then many well-respected boxers of the past whose lack of power we do not denigrate. But: the opinions of what the eyes took in are so unusually divided, that in itself Commands some attention. One thing to take for granted here is that people equal experience and discernment have completely different views, which are not based on geography or ignorance[/QUOTE]

Sorry, Doc M-cola! But this one was BIG-Time home cooking. Your love for your local hommy is astounding.

The greatest pug -- Willie "Whup-an-arse like he had a whip" Pep -- of all times won of bouts with feather-like effective punching. But Algieri didn't do that. He Bambi danced and air-punched bytched. Bias-ness made fans of his see mirages. I hear the water in New York is contaminated with seeing-thing jive. Hehehe!

Dude was air punching most of the night and fighting to last the distance, not win. And, YES, Doc! The Serbian Rocky's noggin did snapped back a few times from running into East-Coast Tim Bradley's reaching punches -- not effective, not scoring. But Algieri got ROCKED umpteen times and was staggering-drunk dancing. And he was folding like a quilt from those body shots.

Like the percentage of scoring pundits, I agree to disagree with your fall -- I mean call! Haha! Holla!

brownsugar says:

[QUOTE=mortcola;55532]Here's a good meta-comment: the knowledgeable scribes on this website are more divided over what they think they saw, than over any fight in my memory. Now by anymeasure i ain't no boxing dummy … i've been trained in the subtle details, mixed it up with lots of contenders, my knowledge of the small points has been recognized by some of the biggest names in the game. But then again, some of you have even more experience, and for all I know, know what they're seeing better than I do. But something happened in the ring, in terms of a pure exhibition of contrasting styles, than we usually get a chance to see. What I saw was, apart from the sheer guts and adaptability of the pure boxer, was Chris handing his opponent a boxing lesson, snapping his head back repeatedly (that doesn't happen from sheer wind, Radam!) with sharp but not powerful punches, and winning the rounds on the pure criteria for ring generalship. Others, who I respect, saw a guy amateurishly running around and pity patting to save his life. Watching the fight again, even less rooting for my homeboy, I saw it exactly as I had the night before, with even more emphasis on the way in which the slugger only landed with the ends of his punches (consistent with the official punch counts) and being forced to chase his superior opponent around like a confused club fighter. if it weren't for the slugger's unusual power, this was a one sided fight in favor of a boxer who doesn't hit any less hard then many well-respected boxers of the past whose lack of power we do not denigrate. But: the opinions of what the eyes took in are so unusually divided, that in itself Commands some attention. One thing to take for granted here is that people equal experience and discernment have completely different views, which are not based on geography or ignorance[/QUOTE]

One thing that cannot be taken away is that Algieri could have folded early. But he gathered himself and fought at a high level of skill and determination using all the physical and mental resources that he could muster and it was enough to boot a world champion off his throne. His victory is sealed in the history books

No one can ever take that away from him. For Algieri and those who supported him...a celebration is in order.

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=Shoulder Roll Defense;55524]Algieri was the professor last night and took Ruslan to school. The name of the sport is boxing and Ruslan is too one dimensional to defeat a well rounded boxer with a chin. Ruslan needs to go back to boxing 101. He does not effectively or consistently use the jab and his punches are too fat (wide). Also, his defense is porous at best. Ring generalship and masterful boxing enabled Algieri to bring home the championship last night. Congrats Chris on your masterful display of boxing skills![/QUOTE]

Russians and those of the old USSR are getting ROBBED on the mainland USA from East to West, so V-Lo better be on his P's and Q's for the dance with G-Russ Junebug. Algieri got his arse handed to him. He needs a hug. And probably some plastic surgery on his mug. Holla!

King Beef says:

This was a tough fight to call, looked like it could've went either way or better yet a draw. I really find it interesting that certain boxers say their opponents "run". Whether all of Algieri's punches were landing I don't know, but something was snapping Prod's head, and a runner wouldn't have out thrown and landed him. On a different note, how do the forum's boxers feel about Prod saying he prefers to fight someone that will stand right in front of him and slug.

brownsugar says:

[QUOTE=King Beef;55539]This was a tough fight to call, looked like it could've went either way or better yet a draw. I really find it interesting that certain boxers say their opponents "run". Whether all of Algieri's punches were landing I don't know, but something was snapping Rus' head, and a runner wouldn't have out thrown and landed him. On a different note, how do the forum's boxers feel about Rus saying he prefers to fight someone that will stand right in front of him and slug. I don't think I would have said it right after the loss, like that but he probably was jacked up over the "possible" robbery[/QUOTE]

AJ..... I think its a revealing moment when a fighter won't demand a rematch immediately after an allegedly close fight.. Especially when he said before the fight that a mobile fighter like Algieri wouldn't pose a problem.... And that he was prepared to die in the ring. He didn't look like he was dying to win to me. When Algieri came out of the corner fighting hard to show he had overcome the knockdown and was in it to win it.... Ruslan should have matched his pace ..... He didn't ... and Algieri's confidence level began to visibly soar. It was a crucial moment and he capitalized on it.

Ruslan was expressing his frustration by making those comments... as you know he's a gladiator... not a stylist. ..... Now that he's free of the title they should match him with Rios... Even Marquez for some outrageously fan friendly fights

Now I have a question for you.... What other top fighters at 140 do you see Algieri beating? Rumors say Pac could be next.

King Beef says:

[QUOTE=brownsugar;55541]AJ..... I think its a revealing moment when a fighter won't demand a rematch immediately after an allegedly close fight.. Especially when he said before the fight that a mobile fighter like Algieri wouldn't pose a problem.... And that he was prepared to die in the ring. He didn't look like he was dying to win to me. When Algieri came out of the corner fighting hard to show he had overcome the knockdown and was in it to win it.... Ruslan should have matched his pace ..... He didn't ... and Algieri's confidence level began to visibly soar. It was a crucial moment and he capitalized on it.

Ruslan was expressing his frustration by making those comments... as you know he's a gladiator... not a stylist. ..... Now that he's free of the title they should match him with Rios... Even Marquez for some outrageously fan friendly fights

Now I have a question for you.... What other top fighters at 140 do you see Algieri beating? Rumors say Pac could be next.[/QUOTE]

I doubt he gets a Pac fight, but I can see him being competitive with a majority of the 140 guys, can't honestly say I woould favor him over any of the top guys. he could likely give DG the same fight Herrara did, Matty looked alittle vunerable his last fight, L-Peterson always looks shakey to me for some reason. I totally agree, he is a true gladiator, but I think it is a cop out to be matched with only someone that suits your style, if Roach is 1 of the best, I feel like he should be able to teach his man to cope with that.

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=King Beef;55539]This was a tough fight to call, looked like it could've went either way or better yet a draw. I really find it interesting that certain boxers say their opponents "run". Whether all of Algieri's punches were landing I don't know, but something was snapping Rus' head, and a runner wouldn't have out thrown and landed him. On a different note, how do the forum's boxers feel about Rus saying he prefers to fight someone that will stand right in front of him and slug. I don't think I would have said it right after the loss, like that but he probably was jacked up over the "possible" robbery[/QUOTE]

Don't act like something wasn't bobbling and snapping Algieri's head even more intensively. And those body missiles were folding him up and making him take off RUNNING.

And running in boxing is CLEAR. It is when you moving constantly away without putting gust into your shots, punches or bytch slaps and taps when it comes/came to Vanilla Tim -- I mean C-Al. Hehehe! Dude got scorched and torched!

Every fighter says what tSR said. All pugs would rather fight sluggers standing right in front of them. But it ain't gonna happen at the elite stage, so it is just rhetorical. Holla!

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=brownsugar;55537]One thing that cannot be taken away is that Algieri could have folded early. But he gathered himself and fought at a high level of skill and determination using all the physical and mental resources that he could muster and it was enough to boot a world champion off his throne. His victory is sealed in the history books

No one can ever take that away from him. For Algieri and those who supported him...a celebration is in order.[/QUOTE]

The non bias history books and most of all the archives and the videos will clearly indicated controversy and probable home town cooking.

It will be like no doubt from people not yet born or conscious of GOAT Ali, that he lost to Doug Jones and the late, near-great Ken Norton. And was gifted with controversy wins, They will see that Algieri lost and was gifted with a hometown decision.

Bias, prejudices and perpetrating fraud of winning don't affect noncontaminated seers or coming generations. Only about 15 percent of humanity can be truthfully near 100 percent of the time without prejudices and biases against an out-of-group nation, tribe, ethnicity, region, etc., etc, according to hardcore empirical studies.

I can admit and see anybody's loss at anytime. Like that I'm a dime. And in that 15 percent.

Relatives, Asians, friends and associates on da cheat keep me out, because I don't roll that way. I call a spade a spade and never hide in the shade. And that is the way that I stay. Maybe a crook can get me if I don't know the full story. But when I do, for him is no glory. Holla!

brownsugar says:

[QUOTE=Radam G;55548]The non bias history books and most of all the archives and the videos will clearly indicated controversy and probable home town cooking.

It will be like no doubt from people not yet born or conscious of GOAT Ali, that he lost to Doug Jones and the late, near-great Ken Norton. And was gifted with controversy wins, They will see that Algieri lost and was gifted with a hometown decision.

Bias, prejudices and perpetrating fraud of winning don't affect noncontaminated seers or coming generations. Only about 15 percent of humanity can be truthfully near 100 percent of the time without prejudices and biases against an out-of-group nation, tribe, ethnicity, region, etc., etc, according to hardcore empirical studies.

I can admit and see anybody's loss at anytime. Like that I'm a dime. And in that 15 percent.

Relatives, Asians, friends and associates on da cheat keep me out, because I don't roll that way. I call a spade a spade and never hide in the shade. And that is the way that I stay. Maybe a crook can get me if I don't know the full story. But when I do, for him is no glory. Holla![/QUOTE]

I appreciate your perspective RG as always. I can see how you would feel that way. I like to call a winner a winner and a loser a loser too. That why I have to disagree with you on this one. I can't see any merit for debate.

King Beef says:

[QUOTE=Radam G;55544]Don't act like something wasn't bobbling and snapping Algieri's head even more intensively. And those body missiles were folding him up and making him take off RUNNING.

And running in boxing is CLEAR. It is when you moving constantly away without putting gust into your shots, punches or bytch slaps and taps when it comes/came to Vanilla Tim -- I mean C-Al. Hehehe! Dude got scorched and torched!

Every fighter says what tSR said. All pugs would rather fight sluggers standing right in front of them. But it ain't gonna happen at the elite stage, so it is just rhetorical. Holla![/QUOTE]

Oh no doubt C- Al was getting tagged, but as the fight went on the tide slowly changed, Alg started getting his work in (albiet his shots weren't as heavy as Prov's) and he started taking the Prov's shots better. and I highly doubt every fighter says stand in front of me and trade, when the guy on the other side has more power and is rocking with every shot. Its easy to say that when you have lighter punchers on the other side. I guess my def. of running and yours is different; I am thinking moving and not even trying to punch at all, ala last couple of rounds of Khan vs Maidana. Correct me if I am wrong, but would you fight to your opponents strengths or would you try to getting him off his game and possibly fighting your fight?

The Commish says:

[QUOTE=Radam G;55502]We cannot go there, Commish. Apparently you have the expected built-in bias for a homeboy. And he got a home-cooking win, so you are blinded by joy.

Algieri had tremendous conditioning, but terrible professional boxing. Most of his allegedly landed punches were short of the target for unbiased eyes. Dude did some great bicycling, air punching and shadow boxing to get a tainted N-Y victory. Holla![/QUOTE]

First, I'm glad we are all back on, as the site had some problems going into the weekend, not allowing us to sign in. I was continually being told "You have entered a wrong usernamer or password." You should have heard my language as I yelled at the computer. On second thought, I'm glad you didn't hear me! Anyway, it's great to be back on. I was actually going through TSS withdrawal!!!!

Now, let me say that I do not "have a built-in bias for a homeboy." Nor do I believe he got a "home-cooking win," leaving me "blinded by joy."

I had terrific ringside seats. Great view. I was scoring right along with the three men who counted most: Tom Schreck, Don Trella and Max DeLuca. I consider all three to be outstanding judges. All three are not just outstanding. They're honest. The same can be said for referee Harvey Dock, who was near-flawless, save for allowing Provo to flagrantly foul Algieri while he was on a knee in the first round (for which Dock could have taken a point from Provo, making the round 10-8 instead of 10-7

Should Algieri--or any fighter who can't take an opponent out with his best shot--be penalized by the judges for merely being fast-handed, fleet-footed and in phenomenal shape?

The name of the game is BOXING, not SLUGGING. Provodnikov is a down-in-the-trenches brawler, cut out of the Jake LaMotta/Arturo Gatti mold. Can you picture what a Gatti v Provodnikov fight would have looked like? Algieri is a boxer. No, don't tell me he's a runner. He boxes. Beautifully. Tirelessly.

He bends. He dips. He slips. Hee parries. He blocks. He strikes then slides away. On the inside, he brawls when he has to. He rarely clinches. Even when he can hold, grab or clinch, he rarely does. Compare his effort to that of Wladimir Klinchko, who initiated 171 clinches against Alexander Povetkin last year. It's funny. Klinchko, who can punch as hards as anybody, is more content to jab and grab. Algieri, who can't punch, hardly ever clinches.

I intend to watch the tape again, too. I may see an entirely different fight and change my opinion. I will also keep an open mind as I watch it. But on fight night, we all watch the fight once. No replays are allowed. A guy wins the round or loses it. Maybe the round is a 10-10 draw. But we all have one shot to score it live. That's what those judges did.

The rounds weren't one-sided. They were close and competitive. Provo was trying for the knockout. Algieri was looking to win the round, then do the same the following round, and the round after that...

One of the things I love about this site is the passion for boxing and intelligence you guys bring to your posts. On this site, a guy is allowed to express his feelings without the others denigrating him and cursing him out. I was on an island with very few others in picking Algieri to win. It was a tough call.

Was part of the reason I picked him to win because he's a "homeboy?" Sure. But the main reason I picked him to win is because I truly thought he WOULD win. I also scored the rounds the way I saw them. I always score fights like that. Friend or no friend, I score 'em as I see 'em.

Know what I would like? I would like to have as many of you as possible call my show on SiriusXM tomorrow. We are on from 6-8pm (ET). You can call on our toll-free line at 1-866-522-2846. I'll put as many of you as I can on the air. and let you say what you want. You can tell me you're a poster/member of TSS or keep it to yourself. Just call and you're on.

Oh, by the way. That first knockdown in the first round was a powerful left hook, if you remember. Not only was the punch hard, it also landed with the thumb in use. I believe it was the thumb which caused the swelling under Algieri's right eye. I'm hoping Algieri doesn't have a fractured orbital bone. We should know tomorrow.

You can certainly reply here on TSS, but I'd also love to hear you and talk with you on my show. It's a free call for you. Do it.

The decision was indeed controversial. But that's all it was. It wasn't hometown, it wasn't shady, it wasn't dishonest. Even Provodnikov knows he didn't get the job done, the job he had been trained to do. He came close.

Algieri came closer.

-Randy G

mortcola says:

Again - Radam, thank you for sheer entertainment value....at least.....but air punches to NOT make a guys head snap back, and my large, meaty flat screen showed, again and again, Chris rolling under or catching on the gloves the vast majority of Provo’s shots. As for other signs: Freddie Roach sys “you need to knock him out”; Provo says “I can’t fight skilled boxers very well, please match me against people who will just eat what I serve, I tried calling attention to the unprecedented split in opinions among smart boxing people, but another twist I see is that this is the most hysterical (as in losing it, nuts to the wind) protesting of something simply unexpected - the mythical beast gets smacked around and schooled by the hometown kid who just happens to be a very gifted boxer. You’re disillusioned. But you’re just not seeing clearly if you see much of Provo’s aggression as effective, or Chris’ shots as slaps. TOO MANY knowledgeable insiders and fans are firmly in the Algieri-won camp for this to be anything like the public robberies everyone still talks about. The protesting is, dare I say it, a psychological symptom of an inability to accept reality. Even calling the esteemed commish a hometown sucker. Me thing the ex-boxer protests too much. Yeah, there it is, right now, as I write....rolls under, counter with range-finding right, power jab that snaps Provo’s head back - Provo misses with wild swing, Algieri lands clean right but Provo shakes his head and smiles....round to Algieri. Lots of it. Oops, there it is again....The Radam mystical knowledge just ain’t holding’ up.....

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=mortcola;55570]Again - Radam, thank you for sheer entertainment value....at least.....but air punches to NOT make a guys head snap back, and my large, meaty flat screen showed, again and again, Chris rolling under or catching on the gloves the vast majority of Provo’s shots. As for other signs: Freddie Roach sys “you need to knock him out”; Provo says “I can’t fight skilled boxers very well, please match me against people who will just eat what I serve, I tried calling attention to the unprecedented split in opinions among smart boxing people, but another twist I see is that this is the most hysterical (as in losing it, nuts to the wind) protesting of something simply unexpected - the mythical beast gets smacked around and schooled by the hometown kid who just happens to be a very gifted boxer. You’re disillusioned. But you’re just not seeing clearly if you see much of Provo’s aggression as effective, or Chris’ shots as slaps. TOO MANY knowledgeable insiders and fans are firmly in the Algieri-won camp for this to be anything like the public robberies everyone still talks about. The protesting is, dare I say it, a psychological symptom of an inability to accept reality. Even calling the esteemed commish a hometown sucker. Me thing the ex-boxer protests too much. Yeah, there it is, right now, as I write....rolls under, counter with range-finding right, power jab that snaps Provo’s head back - Provo misses with wild swing, Algieri lands clean right but Provo shakes his head and smiles....round to Algieri. Lots of it. Oops, there it is again....The Radam mystical knowledge just ain’t holding’ up.....[/QUOTE]

You are standing by your guns and missing my shots. Let me shoot harders. Five percent -- a small amount of Algieri of shots - snapped tSR's cranium back. We have no debate about da haps of that. But tSR landed enough smashing-and-crashing professional shots to win clearly. By at least five points IMHO. Besides Algieri gets bum rush in his first defense. Holla!

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=The Commish;55559]First, I'm glad we are all back on, as the site had some problems going into the weekend, not allowing us to sign in. I was continually being told "You have entered a wrong usernamer or password." You should have heard my language as I yelled at the computer. On second thought, I'm glad you didn't hear me! Anyway, it's great to be back on. I was actually going through TSS withdrawal!!!!

Now, let me say that I do not "have a built-in bias for a homeboy." Nor do I believe he got a "home-cooking win," leaving me "blinded by joy."

I had terrific ringside seats. Great view. I was scoring right along with the three men who counted most: Tom Schreck, Don Trella and Max DeLuca. I consider all three to be outstanding judges. All three are not just outstanding. They're honest. The same can be said for referee Harvey Dock, who was near-flawless, save for allowing Provo to flagrantly foul Algieri while he was on a knee in the first round (for which Dock could have taken a point from Provo, making the round 10-8 instead of 10-7

Should Algieri--or any fighter who can't take an opponent out with his best shot--be penalized by the judges for merely being fast-handed, fleet-footed and in phenomenal shape?

The name of the game is BOXING, not SLUGGING. Provodnikov is a down-in-the-trenches brawler, cut out of the Jake LaMotta/Arturo Gatti mold. Can you picture what a Gatti v Provodnikov fight would have looked like? Algieri is a boxer. No, don't tell me he's a runner. He boxes. Beautifully. Tirelessly.

He bends. He dips. He slips. Hee parries. He blocks. He strikes then slides away. On the inside, he brawls when he has to. He rarely clinches. Even when he can hold, grab or clinch, he rarely does. Compare his effort to that of Wladimir Klinchko, who initiated 171 clinches against Alexander Povetkin last year. It's funny. Klinchko, who can punch as hards as anybody, is more content to jab and grab. Algieri, who can't punch, hardly ever clinches.

I intend to watch the tape again, too. I may see an entirely different fight and change my opinion. I will also keep an open mind as I watch it. But on fight night, we all watch the fight once. No replays are allowed. A guy wins the round or loses it. Maybe the round is a 10-10 draw. But we all have one shot to score it live. That's what those judges did.

The rounds weren't one-sided. They were close and competitive. Provo was trying for the knockout. Algieri was looking to win the round, then do the same the following round, and the round after that...

One of the things I love about this site is the passion for boxing and intelligence you guys bring to your posts. On this site, a guy is allowed to express his feelings without the others denigrating him and cursing him out. I was on an island with very few others in picking Algieri to win. It was a tough call.

Was part of the reason I picked him to win because he's a "homeboy?" Sure. But the main reason I picked him to win is because I truly thought he WOULD win. I also scored the rounds the way I saw them. I always score fights like that. Friend or no friend, I score 'em as I see 'em.

Know what I would like? I would like to have as many of you as possible call my show on SiriusXM tomorrow. We are on from 6-8pm (ET). You can call on our toll-free line at 1-866-522-2846. I'll put as many of you as I can on the air. and let you say what you want. You can tell me you're a poster/member of TSS or keep it to yourself. Just call and you're on.

Oh, by the way. That first knockdown in the first round was a powerful left hook, if you remember. Not only was the punch hard, it also landed with the thumb in use. I believe it was the thumb which caused the swelling under Algieri's right eye. I'm hoping Algieri doesn't have a fractured orbital bone. We should know tomorrow.

You can certainly reply here on TSS, but I'd also love to hear you and talk with you on my show. It's a free call for you. Do it.

The decision was indeed controversial. But that's all it was. It wasn't hometown, it wasn't shady, it wasn't dishonest. Even Provodnikov knows he didn't get the job done, the job he had been trained to do. He came close.

Algieri came closer.

-Randy G[/QUOTE]
I'm still having problems with staying on and posting from the P-Islands. But those are the breaks.

Yup! Algieri definitely caught a serious thumb on that first knock down. And ran like a bytch until he could get his focus back from the thumbing. And running ain't bad. Anything to survive. But while he was surviving, he lost five of six rounds in my opinion, won three straight with boxing and lost the last three. Holla!

mortcola says:

Now, I’m highlighting another point for the the thinking TSS reader. In Pacquiao-Bradley1, about 3% of boxing journalists and insiders had the fight for Bradley. In this one, not only did two judges score it the same way a number of TSS writers did, but approximately half of all pucblicy expressed sentiments, after HOURS online about this fight, saw Provodnikov winning. This means something. It means a) that it was a close fight; b) that the decision is probably made based on what you value in boxing. Also, after the early dumb hyperbole of the announcers, Andre Ward (who I place above Radam, who ALWAYS relies on the “they are deceived by fakery, but I see the truth” argument) picked Algieri based on boxing skill, effective aggression and ring generalship; Lampley called Algieri “amazingly effective”, and Kellerman stated at the end that he needs to put his bias aside and score the fight again, since he thought that perhaps things were happening in the ring that his expectations blinded him to. This CANNOT be a robbery, statistically and with any faith at all that the mass of viewers contains a representative cross-section of boxing opinionators, the same ones who lacked more than a molecule of support for Bradley; this is not Whitaker-Chavez; not Ali-Norton. The present and history BOTH will tell you that the boxing world is divided, and the fact that Provo had the advantage on the basis of being mythologized and Algieri unknown and not a KO puncher (always a disadvantage in the eyes of the boxing world - remember, Whitaker LOST the fight, despite controlling every aspect of it). Those of you who saw a robbery and a walkover and denigrate Algieri’s performance are speaking from a unreliable part of your mind, the part that rejects what it cannot believe and did not expect. This fight was, with one ludicrous scorecard, scored a close fight, and the world of boxing lovers are nearly 50-50 on it. That is scientific, statistical, and psychological reality, and if you don’t accept it, you just don’t get it, or don’t want to.
PS - Radam, you need new patter - you need to actually comment on the fight and not simply say that you see what others don’t. It is getting predictable and suggests that while you might have been a good fighter, you have only one way of seeing things, and one way of saying things - funny doggerel wordplay. Not good enough anymore. I’m not attacking you - you are probably a righteous dude - but your critiques don’t actually say anything that you haven’t said about 100 fights already.

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=mortcola;55580]Now, I’m highlighting another point for the the thinking TSS reader. In Pacquiao-Bradley1, about 3% of boxing journalists and insiders had the fight for Bradley. In this one, not only did two judges score it the same way a number of TSS writers did, but approximately half of all pucblicy expressed sentiments, after HOURS online about this fight, saw Provodnikov winning. This means something. It means a) that it was a close fight; b) that the decision is probably made based on what you value in boxing. Also, after the early dumb hyperbole of the announcers, Andre Ward (who I place above Radam, who ALWAYS relies on the “they are deceived by fakery, but I see the truth” argument) picked Algieri based on boxing skill, effective aggression and ring generalship; Lampley called Algieri “amazingly effective”, and Kellerman stated at the end that he needs to put his bias aside and score the fight again, since he thought that perhaps things were happening in the ring that his expectations blinded him to. This CANNOT be a robbery, statistically and with any faith at all that the mass of viewers contains a representative cross-section of boxing opinionators, the same ones who lacked more than a molecule of support for Bradley; this is not Whitaker-Chavez; not Ali-Norton. The present and history BOTH will tell you that the boxing world is divided, and the fact that Provo had the advantage on the basis of being mythologized and Algieri unknown and not a KO puncher (always a disadvantage in the eyes of the boxing world - remember, Whitaker LOST the fight, despite controlling every aspect of it). Those of you who saw a robbery and a walkover and denigrate Algieri’s performance are speaking from a unreliable part of your mind, the part that rejects what it cannot believe and did not expect. This fight was, with one ludicrous scorecard, scored a close fight, and the world of boxing lovers are nearly 50-50 on it. That is scientific, statistical, and psychological reality, and if you don’t accept it, you just don’t get it, or don’t want to.
PS - Radam, you need new patter - you need to actually comment on the fight and not simply say that you see what others don’t. It is getting predictable and suggests that while you might have been a good fighter, you have only one way of seeing things, and one way of saying things - funny doggerel wordplay. Not good enough anymore. I’m not attacking you - you are probably a righteous dude - but your critiques don’t actually say anything that you haven’t said about 100 fights already.[/QUOTE]

But your boy lost. Hehe! Not only to Radam G, but to more than half of the boxing world. One can look at that fight a 100 times. And Algieri lost a 100 times. And he will lose again. I know your strong mind. I have no bite in this fight. A spade is a spade and no fighter can hide in the shade. No sport reveals one like boxing.

Algieri better enjoy his short ride as title belt holder because it won't be for long. I predict that he will be badly beat in his next bout. Holla!

brownbomber says:

Radam, he got you g. Mortcola dropped you on this one. Sorry homie

Radam G says:

[QUOTE=brownbomber;55583]Radam, he got you g. Mortcola dropped you on this one. Sorry homie[/QUOTE]

Nothing is as it appears. And to each him own. Algieri will be KTFO in his next bout. He lost. He knows that he lost. The truth always catch up with you. Ask Tim Bradley? Holla!

Skibbz says:

A real fight fan will watch the fight back and be honest in their opinion of who won.

mortcola says:

[QUOTE=Skibbz;55503]There's nothing behind Algieri's punches. If this was the amateurs I would applaud his display, but this is the pro's and those punches weren't doing damage. I'm downloading the fight to watch it again, i'll score it round by round by tomorrow and we can see how my views differ from yours either at ringside or behind a tele.

One guy left without a scratch, the other will need rehab for atleast a month. Tell me who won doc![/QUOTE]

C’mon, Skibbz, you know more boxing than that. The winner is not decided by swelling or slices of meat torn off, unless the injury incapacitates a fighter or the ref decides enough i s enough. Algieri beat him on two cards and according to about half the boxing world - with one eye, mostly damaged by one hook in the first round, thereafter having his arms tenderized and his own gloves abrading the wound after picking off the shots that he didn’t outright slip and duck - all ways in which you make sure your opponent’s blows neither score, nor KUTFO. That fact, all he did for 11 rounds AFTER the most damage was done in the first round, only underscores the significance of the victory.

mortcola says:

[QUOTE=Radam G;55585]Nothing is as it appears. And to each him own. Algieri will be KTFO in his next bout. He lost. He knows that he lost. The truth always catch up with you. Ask Tim Bradley? Holla![/QUOTE]

Actually, he’s pretty relaxed and pumped about his accomplishment and being both champion and admired by the majority of the boxing world for either winning and having major cojones, or both, and bummed he has to stay out of the ring for healing time. And when you have to rely on predictions of fights that haven’t been mentioned yet, and revisionist future history, you’re pretty much out of points. But we’ll mix it up in the weeks before and after his first several defenses. Looking forward to you being in fighting shape again!

The Commish says:

[QUOTE=mortcola;55677]C’mon, Skibbz, you know more boxing than that. The winner is not decided by swelling or slices of meat torn off, unless the injury incapacitates a fighter or the ref decides enough i s enough. Algieri beat him on two cards and according to about half the boxing world - with one eye, mostly damaged by one hook in the first round, thereafter having his arms tenderized and his own gloves abrading the wound after picking off the shots that he didn’t outright slip and duck - all ways in which you make sure your opponent’s blows neither score, nor KUTFO. That fact, all he did for 11 rounds AFTER the most damage was done in the first round, only underscores the significance of the victory.[/QUOTE]

There are robberies and there are close decisions. This was a close decision. Chris Algieri KNOWS he won. I knew he won the moment the fight ended. That's because I know what I am watching. I can't speak for Max DeLuca. He's Class A-1 judge--one of the best around. He didn't see it that way.

Like I said, this was a close decision. Competitive rounds will always do that.

Yes, the winner looked worse than the loser. Didn't Joe Frazier look worse than Muhammad Ali after their first fight? It happens. That one left hook in the first round did the damage. That one shot messed up Algieri's cheek. If he got hit as much as a few of you thought you saw him getting hit, the fight would have been over early.

Provodnikov tried and tried to knock out Algieri with one punch. He couldn't land it. Even Freddie Roach admits Provo abandoned his fight plan.

I'm just giving credit where it's due.

Call Michael Woods and me later at 1-866-522-2846 on my SiriusXM show. We are on from 6-8pm (ET). Call. Talk. Vent.

Just call. Woodsy and I want to hear from you.

-Randy G.

thegreyman says:

[QUOTE=The Commish;55697]There are robberies and there are close decisions. This was a close decision. Chris Algieri KNOWS he won. I knew he won the moment the fight ended. That's because I know what I am watching. I can't speak for Max DeLuca. He's Class A-1 judge--one of the best around. He didn't see it that way.

Like I said, this was a close decision. Competitive rounds will always do that.

Yes, the winner looked worse than the loser. Didn't Joe Frazier look worse than Muhammad Ali after their first fight? It happens. That one left hook in the first round did the damage. That one shot messed up Algieri's cheek. If he got hit as much as a few of you thought you saw him getting hit, the fight would have been over early.

Provodnikov tried and tried to knock out Algieri with one punch. He couldn't land it. Even Freddie Roach admits Provo abandoned his fight plan.

I'm just giving credit where it's due.

Call Michael Woods and me later at 1-866-522-2846 on my SiriusXM show. We are on from 6-8pm (ET). Call. Talk. Vent.

Just call. Woodsy and I want to hear from you.

-Randy G.[/QUOTE]

That one left hook could have lost Provodnikov the fight, or so it could be interpreted.

That shot knocked Algieri down HARD. He was flung half way across the ring, hit the ground and rolled over it hit him so hard. It was an incredible shot that would have meant lights out if it had been on the chin.

Provodnikov realised in that moment that he can have this guy out in a couple of clean punches, and he relaxed. He knew that if he could walk through this guys shots and land a few telling blows, it would all be over...

And so he went on walking through Chris' shots round after round looking to land those killer hooks to the head. He forgot the game plan, the jab, body shots, everything. What does it matter what it can all be over in a few seconds of clean work? He can't have been listening to his corner much between rounds either, or they surely would have put him back on the right tracks. Provodnikov never seemed to worry about wearing Algieri down- he felt Chris was on the edge of mental defeat, and of being knocked out, and it would only take that one more perfect shot to break him.

He was a man on a mission to land a spectacular knock-out shot, which after the first round he knew he was capable of doing; and much to Algieri's credit, Chris never allowed him to.

Carmine Cas says:

The fight was very close IMO, a Provodnikov decision would have been understandable and the actual decision is not a robbery. Joe DeGuardia was a little worried when Artie Pellulo (Ruslan's promoter) was telling the judges not to be biased, thinking that they'd have a predisposition against Algieri.

mortcola says:

[QUOTE=thegreyman;55699]That one left hook could have lost Provodnikov the fight, or so it could be interpreted.

That shot knocked Algieri down HARD. He was flung half way across the ring, hit the ground and rolled over it hit him so hard. It was an incredible shot that would have meant lights out if it had been on the chin.
Provodnikov realised in that moment that he can have this guy out in a couple of clean punches, and he relaxed. He knew that if he could walk through this guys shots and land a few telling blows, it would all be over...

[/QUOTE]

Good work, GreyMan - a point someone should have made and then you did - If Provodnikov could do that much damage with one punch, and failed to do any more such damage, then isn’t that evidence that he was much less effective after that?

And, re the Commish: People didn’t criticize Ali much for not hitting hard with one punch - doesn’t matter if Algieri isn’t a new Ali, although he IS a very subtle and finely tuned boxer - the point is that sometimes Ali would overwhelm a guy with a Blitzkrieg of sharp but not at all heavy shots, and that would end it; pretty often, unless the guy was really small or really exhausted, he just stung like a bee and let the judges do the talking. The anti-Algieri talk will settle in once reality stops being so distasteful to the haters, and he’ll be an admired champ, if only for his mettle; and after he has some defenses the BS will stop completely. And if he gets KTFU so that Radam can sleep again someday, I will take my know-it-all commentator punishment like a man. But for now i stand by my words, and its nice to see I’m in good company.